John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

Sitterback to top

• John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), Soldier and statesman. Sitter associated with 85 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 1666 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Presumably a sketch for a full-scale allegorical painting which seems never to have been carried out. This oil sketch shows Queen Anne's great Commander-in-Chief, the victor of Blenheim and Ramillies, in triumph. On the left is Hercules with his club and a key (possibly a symbol of submission) and a woman offering him a castle. Under Marlborough's horse's hooves is the dishevelled figure of Discord, while in the clouds sits Justice; below her, Victory crowns the duke with laurel. It appears that the full-scale allegorical painting for which this is presumably a study was never completed. Stylistically the work is heavily influenced by Rubens, while in spirit it conveys Britain's confidence as a European power.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 132
• Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 46
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 49
• Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 162
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 411

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Allegory in portraits
• Group portraits
• On display at the Gallery
• Pets and animals